Midlands hockey league side want Cup run to show their ambitions in reaching
the national league as they prepare for clash with Manchester's Brooklands
Poynton

Some leading hockey clubs may view it differently, but Leamington, the Midlands League women's side, have Investec Cup ambition and are out to prove themselves alongside the likes of Surbiton, Holcombe and Leicester when the last 16 takes place on Sunday.

Two weeks ago, Leamington upset the odds when they beat Liverpool Sefton of the Conference North to set-up another potential giant-killer against Manchester's Brooklands Poynton, the Investec Conference North leaders.

Against Liverpool, Kerry Luckett’s two goals gave Leamington the chance of an upset as the game went to a sudden-death shoot-out. Goalkeeper Vicki Waring’s performance between the posts as well as composure from the shooters then ensured Leamington of a historic place in the last 16 thanks to a nervy 6-5 win.

Ahead of Sunday's 2pm pushback, Rebecca Lascelles, the 30-year-old captain, said: “This is exciting for us. We have moved up progressively through the leagues and we are an ambitious club.”

A few seasons ago Leamington were playing in the county leagues and Lascelles admitted the club has “transformed itself” with lofty ambitions of playing in the National League.

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“For us to compete in the Cup against sides we feel like we should be challenging is really exciting for us,” said Lascelles, captain for the past five years.

“It demonstrates the spirit of the team, the ambitions and how seriously we are taking the Cup.”

Lascelles now believes that Leamington, one of only three non-Investec league teams left in the knock-out competition, have the ability to garner another shock result and a place in the quarter-finals.

She said: “Bryan Frazer, our coach, has shown a lot of belief in us and we are now all playing exceptionally well together.

“You play your best hockey and anything can happen on the day. It’s inspiring for everyone in the team to get the results they are getting and we’ve learnt a great deal.”

This season there have been a raft of walkovers in both domestic Cup competitions, with seven alone in the Investec Cup, while Premier side Reading didn’t enter the competition.

Elio Saligoi, Reading Ladies manager, told Telegraph Sport: “We were in a state of transition post and pre-season, and felt we had other matters to prioritise this year.”

Lascelles summed up the situation by admitting that “this is a great opportunity for us, so it’s a real shame when you see the other big clubs who don’t fulfil the fixtures.”

She added: “We would never have the chance to play the teams that we are doing this season.

“The club are encouraging people to come and support. We have a great junior section so we want to get them involved and make it a big and inspirational day of it.”